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Thursday, November 14, 2013

The Whaling Philosophy: Moby Dick Chapter 48 – 66

Finally…some actions!

When the
first sign of whales came, the crew looked at five mysterious strangers besides
Ahab, but had no time to mind it, as they must immediately lower their boats
for the whale hunt. Unfortunately thick mist fell upon the sea, and through the
mist and the increasing wind before a storm, they went nearer to the whale.
Starbuck instructed Queequeg to attack, but the whale escaped, only with a
scratch from Queequeg’s harpoon. Their boat collapsed and drenched all the crew
before help from other boats came, and took them return to the ship. This was
Ishmael’s first experience in whale hunting, and after the life and death
moment, now he realized and was much prepared for the great risk of the voyage.

It was clear
now that Ahab has snuggled those five crews on board. Fedallah, the Oriental
hair-turbaned, was the most interesting mystery around. Meanwhile, for several
nights a single white jet often appeared within the waves, seemed to taunt the
Pequod to sail further to follow it. It felt ghostly, and everyone thought it
was Moby Dick. Ahab often stayed sleeplessly for nights because of that, and on
the whole, it created a ghastly aspect for the crew.

One morning
the Pequod’s men had an apparition of a giant white creature which they thought
at first was the White Whale, but it turned out to be a giant squid.
Nonetheless the apparition has struck them. And finally, their first catch was
done by Stubb, who caught and killed a Sperm Whale.

Have any other ships
met Moby Dick?

The Pequod
met another whaling ship, the Albatros, and on their question about the White
Whale, Captain Ahab suddenly looked terrified. Ishmael then told the strange
affair of the Town-Ho whaling ship that has once had an encounter with Moby Dick,
and it turned out to be a divine moment in their trouble.

The fishery handling system

Ishmael
criticized the fishery system invariably used in whaling ships, where
harpooners, not only were they needed to pitch darts to the whales with all
their power, they were also responsible to pull the oar during a chase, which
often exhausted them already before the fight. Ishmael believed that harpooners
must be relieved from pulling the oar job in order to save their energy. He
also pointed up the danger of using the second (back up) harpoon which was
connected to the first one with a line.

Consumption vs cannibalism

Ishmael also
remarked sailors who ate sea creatures he has just killed as outlandish. He
questioned whether this was not—in a way—a cannibalism. He also criticized how
sharks were massacred only to get its skin (?).

The whale’s anatomy

It is
difficult to draw the exact structure of a whale, and for centuries people have
failed to do that. They could never catch the majestic and noble aspect of
whale, and thus it remained unpainted, unless in whaling voyage though with a
very high risk. (to be continued in next chapter post)

My random thoughts

Chapter 51
is my most favorite chapter so far! It makes me quite shudder to imagine the
serene atmosphere on Pequod at those nights when the single white jet appeared.
I wanted to quote some phrases here, but it’s impossible to get the exact
feeling without reading the whole chapter. I believe I haven’t read one so intense
chapter like this one, of which, every words and sentence brings deep meanings.

Melville’s point
of view about cannibalism is early interesting. I have been wondering why he
described Queequeg’s savage side very detailed, but now I understand his real aim.
I think he wanted to highlight the irony of how civilized people despised
cannibalism, while they often do worse things than that. They perhaps don’t eat
their own kind, but couldn’t rapaciousness and brutality in killing innocent
creatures be regarded as savagery?

I agree this was an intense chapter with the sudden action. I also remember that it was the first time I realized I didn't want any whales to be killed. Do you have a favourite character at this stage of the book?

So far, Starbuck is my favorite, for he is the only one with moral conscience (and I think he's Melville voice here), and who bravely stood against Ahab, although he couldn't do anything extreme as his chance was limited by the voyage.

You're right, I hate seeing the way they hunt and kill the whales... In the end, it's just about business and human greediness.

Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your post! Moby Dick is on my to-read list but it is number two on my list of "classics that I am hesitant/scared to read" (right behind Ulysses). Have you found it a difficult read or is it much easier than you thought?

Thanks! I used to be dreading Moby Dick too, until I challenged myself to read it. And, it turns out to be very enjoyable. It's much easier than I thought. Yes, in several chapters there are long description about whaling history or anatomy. Sometimes I just skip these parts, and jump to the conclution in the end of each chapters. But overall, it's very enjoyable. Sometimes Melville wrote it Shakespearish-ly too, just like reading play in novel. And Melville's philosophy from the whaling things is very deep. You must give it a try, Cleo! :)